The Big Game Conservation Association recently hosted its 3rd Annual Sportmen’s Night in Howells, Nebraska. The attendance was our largest thus far with over 300 present making the event a huge success. The banquet included a dinner, some great auction items, and an amazing gun wall, but most importantly included interaction between our volunteers and the people driving the motivation behind our mission. Our outstanding guest speaker was Theresa Vail, of Limitless, SHE Outdoor Pro Staff, former Miss Kansas and U.S. Army Sergeant. She provided a very vivid story of her life accounts that drove her to become the outstanding woman that she is. She talked about hunting with her father and sharing the love and passion for the outdoors. She is a great public speaker and we would welcome her back anytime.
As always, there was a FREE youth raffle! Over 30 youth were in attendance with their family and all went home with something. Ten of those lucky youth went home with new .22 rifles and a 100 round box of ammunition. And of course, one youth claimed the Lifetime Hunt Permit!
The money we raise supports projects that would further the betterment of our big game species, educating our youth, and many other worthwhile ventures. Here are just a few items that your continued support helps to make happen:
- The BGCA recently sponsored 10 youth bows and thirty arrows for the Nebraska Bowfishing Mentor Program hosted at Ponca State Park during the month of June.
- Purchase of seed that we use to plant and maintain food plots at Lake Wanahoo near Wahoo, NE and Powderhorn Wildlife Management Area near Scribner, NE
- BGCA board members have also voted to continue our partnership with the Nebraska Sportsmen’s Foundation (NSF) for everything that they do to keep hunting rights alive at the political level. 10% of our net annual proceeds go to support them and plans are being made for some joint shooting events.
- A large portion will go to improve either the outdoor archery range or the field archery course at the Nebraska Game & Parks Outdoor Education Center in Lincoln. Plans are being finalized on which project we will undertake.
- We have been in contact with the Nebraska Game and Parks to express our commitment to future involvement and to discuss supporting or sponsoring other outdoor projects.
- Currently in the process of setting up a scholarship for 2016. It will be available to a Nebraska resident pursuing a Fisheries & Wildlife degree at a Nebraska institution of higher learning.
Our volunteers spend countless hours planning, organizing and preparing for our non-profit banquets. Of course, we want and accept all volunteers and place large focus on the youth. By promoting education with young people, BGCA is supporting innovation and helping encourage the next generation of volunteers and great thinkers. What it comes down to is the selfless acts and great people who come together to help make our mission a success and for that we want to express our appreciation. Our experience in eastern Nebraska and the feedback we’ve received has taught us a lot, and we look forward to expanding the program into additional areas of Nebraska in the future. Thank you again for your support and we look forward to seeing you at our future events and in the field.
We will be installing signs at the youth hunting blind and food plots on June 27th, 2015. Please get in touch with us for details to lend a hand or come out and introduce yourself. Our 2nd Annual Lincoln Sportsmen’s Night will be held at the Havelock Social Hall on January 30th, 2016. Mark your calendar for March 19th, 2016 as we will return to the Howells Ballroom for our 4th Annual Sportsmen’s Night!
